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Pls Help ...Last Minute Trip to Athens and Greek Islands - Must Sees?

Pls Help ...Last Minute Trip to Athens and Greek Islands - Must Sees?

Old Apr 13th, 2013, 09:18 AM
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Pls Help ...Last Minute Trip to Athens and Greek Islands - Must Sees?

Hello,

We normally plan our trips at least 10-12 months in advance; however, due to work schedules, it was either go in late May/early June or not go at all as it happened last year.

With the help of an excellent TA, we booked our flights and hotels this past week. I normally like to do the planning myself, which I find to be part of the fun. However, due to time constraints, we sought the help of a travel agent.

This is the itinerary:

1. Flight from Athens to Mykonos
2. Mykonos - 4 nights
3. Paros - 3- Nights
4. Santorini - 4 - Nights
5. Flight back to Athens - 3 - Nights

We need your help in terms of list of must-sees. We are a couple in our late 40's; we love history, we are active (running, watersports, etc) , love to sail, etc.

Also, restaurant recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much. In the meantime, we are browsing thru all the guidebooks that we can find....Fodor's, of course is in that list. We also just bought 'Greek Island Hopping', which was recommended in a couple of the posts here.

Looking forward to your recommendations!
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Old Apr 13th, 2013, 11:11 AM
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While on Mykonos go to Delos, the wonderful archaeological site. On Paros see the Ekatontapiliani Church in Parikia, Naoussa, Lefkes. Take a day trip to Antiparos or the round-island boat trip if you prefer. On Santorini there is Akrotiri and Ancient Thera, Oia, wine tours...

Others will add their own favourites.
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Old Apr 13th, 2013, 12:25 PM
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For MYK and SANT rent a car and wander..We did (DD, DGRS, DGRD and me)and it was wonderful for us all. we stopped in villages and bought pastries from the bakery, wine @ any cafe, sat on the beaches (red and/or black) but take a towel to sit on as beach chairs are costing $$..Delos..hat is neccesry as is water. But this is also true when driving around. Stayed @ Mykonos Princess, ate there good but the chef was leaving for Bali so ? as far as now goes.Agios Stephanios has a couple of rest. and good bus service into town. Hard to recc. rest. as they change so fast with new chefs.. In MYK town it is more costly but certainly doable. Santorini wine is surprising good. you probably won't go wrong anywhere you go. Have heard good things about Maria's studios on Paros. We stayed @ Francisco"s so-so!
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Old Apr 13th, 2013, 12:34 PM
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In Athens, for a little lux. take a look @ Divani Apollinia (sp?)outside town. A LHW member and it is very good. Shuttle to town and Gyfaldis *(agian sp?) regularly, pretty good beach very nice pools and may have deals or offers. If you do stay there opt for a hotel room not a new annex room. Quieter!! I was a LHW member and was upgraded to the new and more lux annex..stayed 1 night and requested a change to hotel..too close to the road. Much better but didn't have Bulagari toiletries so after a request they appeared in my room with flowers and an apology..a nice surprise. If you don't ask you don't get!! It pays to belong to loyality clubs any or all.
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Old Apr 13th, 2013, 01:28 PM
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Dinner at sunset on Santorini: Kastro Restaurant in Oia

http://www.kastro-ia.gr/en (make reservations at least 2 days in advance)
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Old Apr 13th, 2013, 02:26 PM
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Hello!

Thank you All; all of them great recommendations!

We'll definitely look into renting a car in Mykonos and Santorini. We love to explore on our own, and getting lost is part of the adventure.

We will must definitely be visiting Delos.

Thank you very much. It is greatly appreciated.

We can't wait...40 days and counting.
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Old Apr 13th, 2013, 11:24 PM
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If you are interesting on hiking/trekking, you may want to research this site per island:
http://www.cycladen.be/

Are your hotels booked (I guess they are) and on which location on each island?
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Old Apr 14th, 2013, 05:25 AM
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Hello Mariha2912,

Yes, our hotels are booked; they are:
1. Mykonos - GRAND BEACH HOTEL
Megali Ammos Beach


2. Paros - PAROS AGNANTI
Parikia Town

3. Santorini - ATLANTIDA VILLAS
Oia, Santorini

4. Athens - ATHENS GATE
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Old Apr 14th, 2013, 05:29 AM
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Mariha2912: I've inadvertently submitted the post before thanking you. Thank you for the link to the hiking site. So, I will be taking my hiking shoes as well. I need to be careful, I do not over pack.

Thank you. You help is greatly appreciated!
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Old Apr 15th, 2013, 01:56 AM
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Hello and you are welcome Sydney7!

If I am not mistaken, PAros Agnanti is located about 2-3 kms away from Parikia center, at the end of Marcelo/on Krios beach (?) Some people find the location a bit out of town but I think it will suit you as you seem to be fit, so this is not a so long walk for you. I think hotel provides some mini-bus transfers between PArikia and hotel too. Location is beautiful...
You mention watersports. Paros Nautical club on Livadia beach half way towards town offers sailing lessons if you are interesting. There is diving on Paros too, I have heard good feedback on X-ta-sea located on Santa Maria and Naoussa and I think there is an other diving center in New Golden beach, there might be others also. Usually those companies offer pick-ups from Parikia and other places.
Do you plan to hire a car for a day on Paros? Bus system on the island is very decent and actually radiates on Parikia, but I found that on 3 nights/2 full days, you may want to enjoy Parikia and surroundings, have a watersport session and then next day maybe make a tour of the island (?) IF so, ket me know to offer some additional spots you may reach on a car.
If not, you may want to look into connecting to Naoussa and/or Lefkes or if you are ver interested to beaches, head to west coast, Piso Livadi, Chrissi Akti etc. Antiparos on a DIY approach or a boat tour might be a good idea for some fun, beaches and scenery too.
I am not so familiar with Parikia as I am with other parts of Paros in terms of eating etc, but facing the ferry port, walking maybe 150 metres on the left, you'll find a non-descriped and rather very simple-looking place called Christos. I like this place because it offers some cooked and other items on the menu that escape the Greek salad-mussaka stereotype. I admit it might not be for everyone though...
In case you are in Naoussa for lunch or dinner, there are two taverns very advertised, Sigi Ichthios (Silent of the Fish) and Barbarossa. While they are fine, I find their prices too dear. At the start of the harbour afterf the "bridge" you'll find Vitsadakis. Menu contains meat and fish and other items. The family that owns the place actually has two fishing boats and most of fish is fresh and yummy and a tad bit less pricey. If you are into a small local place, you may ask around and find Yemenis tavern hidden in the maze of lanes on old Naoussa town. They usually offer a local speciality, chick peas slowly cooked in a clay pot. Delicious! Up on Lefkes village, the most popular tavern to locals and visitors alike is "O Klarinos". Grilled meat etc. You can not go wrong with any tavern on Lefkes I believe though... On Piso Livadi the last two places at the far end of the marina are recommened, one is called Halaris, the other one I can't remember right now... I suggest some fish meze and an ouzo or two...
On Naoussa you cab visit Moraitis winery for a tour and to buy a bottle of wine or something. Both in Naoussa and on Parikia you'll find Hamilothoris products, a small local company/pastry shop offering both more modern cakes and sweets, and more importnatly more traditional Paros delicacies such as pasteli and the like. Many liquers and nuts too.
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Old Apr 15th, 2013, 05:38 AM
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Regarding your visit to Paros: In Parakia, enjoy the meandering streets of Old Market, visit Ekatontapliani Church and the small yet interesting adjacent archeological museum. From your hotel, you can walk down to Krios Beach which is lovely sand and swimming, yet sometimes the main beach area is annoyingly loud. From Krios, you can take a small launch over to the main town - convenient as it runs about every 20 -30 minutes, until around 5:00'ish. Your hotel is a hike from town in the dark, so you need a car. Also, the bus service is very good, but you will maximize sightseeing with a car rental. Paros is a good sized island with many beaches that are obvious and others that are hidden. Our favorite developed beach is Parasporos and around the island there are larger beaches with watersports like Pounda, Golden Beach and Piso Livadi. Drive up to the mountain village of Lefkes where you will park on the edge of town. On the way, you can stop at the marble quarry, and the quiet village of Kostas. In Leftkes, walk around the quaint twisting cobbled streets, enjoy the vistas, visit the church, walk on the Byzantine trail, have lunch. On the north end of the island is picturesque Naoussa - a lovely harbor and a great spot for dining. With a car you can also access two wonderful beaches nearby: Kolybithres or Santa Maria and there is a nature area beyond Kolimbithres where you can hike out to the lighthouse and along the cliffs. Another lovely village to visit is Aliki on the southern coast. If you can change to 4 nights on Paros with 3 on Santorini, I would because there is so much to see and do in Paros. A day trip to Antiparos has already been recommended, but I think you hardly have time for it. If you decide to go, you can take a passenger ferry from main port, or a car ferry from Pounda. There is a very nice beach an easy walk from the port on Antiparos and the village is lovely, with a street off the port with little shops and restaurants - great thin-crust pizza. Back in Parakia, there are lots of bars and restaurants. Best bar for sunset view is Pebbles or the Lighthouse. Best restaurant is Levantis in old market. Enjoy!
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Old Apr 16th, 2013, 01:33 PM
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mariha2912, and Parosblue - Thank you so much for sharing your vast knowledge of the area; it is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
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